Persuasion by Jane Austen

1. Persuasion by Jane Austen

2. Class Consciousness & Social Relationships

3. The predominant theme in Persuasion focuses on the consciousness of class. • Austen defies one main social division- the landed gentry of the upper-middle class – thorough her realistic portrayals of the Elliot family and those who travel in their sphere. • She notes the traditions of this structured social group as well as its restricted vision of those outside the group. • The ladies and gentlemen of the landed gentry, as represented by Sir Walter, depended on social hierarchies to ensure their superiority over the lower class.

4. Sir Walter’s favorite pastime is to pore over Barotonage,reminding himself of his exalted social position. • The pride he takes in this position has degenerated into an inflated vanity and esthetic sense, as he can appreciate only things that, like his own visage, please his eye. “This very awkward history of Mr. Elliot, was still, after an interval of several years, felt with anger by Elizabeth, who had liked the man for himself, and still more for being her father’s heir, and whose strong family pride could see onlyhima proper match for Sir Walter’s eldest daughter. There was not a baronet from A to Z, whom her feelings could have so willingly acknowledged as an equal.”

5. Naval profession is one of the means by which individuals may improve social class. • Austen is not a revolutionary; she defends the values and the traditions of respect for the social structure. • Yet she is subtly subversive in her support of greater social mobility. • The Navy’s role in gradually increasing class flexibility is stated to be the one of its domestic virtues. • But there are rules and limits to social ambition in Austen’s world.

6. “Yes; it is in two points offensive to me; I have strong grounds of objection to it. First, as a means of bringing person of obscure birth into in due distinction, and raising men to honors which their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt of; and secondly as it cuts up a man’s youth and vigor most horribly.” These lines are spoken by Sir Walter Elliot. He is explaining to his family and friends why he objects to the Navy and wishes none of his relatives will ever join it. Sir Walter truly objects to navy because it functions as a means of social ascension. The Navy allows men who are dedicated and hard-working to build a fortune and to gain social status. His objection is not only to the Navy but to increasing social mobility in society.

7. “Anne Eliot, with all her claims of her birth, beauty, and mind, to throw away herself at nineteen; involve herself at nineteen in an engagement with a young man, who had nothing but himself to recommend him, with a young man, who had nothing but himself to recommend him, and no hopes of attaining affluence, but in the chances of a most uncertain profession, and no connexions to secure even his farther rise in that profession; would be, indeed, a throwing away, which she grieved to think of.” These lines are belong to Lady Russel. She objects to marriage of Anne and Wentworth because of Wentworth’s social status. Anne is a victim of class rigidity in that time.

8. “In one point, I am sure, my dear cousin.(he continued, speaking lower, though there was no one else in the room ), ‘in one point, I am sure, we must feel alike. We must feel that every addition to your father’s society, among his equals or superiors, may be of use in diverting his thoughts from those who are beneath him.’ “ These lines are from a conversation between Anne and Mr. Elliot. In this conversation, Mrs. Clay is punished for the selfishness she shows in overstepping her bounds and breaking the rules . Austen is conservative in her respect for class tradition and Mrs. Clay; as well, is exposed to class rigidity as a result of her relationship with Sir Walter Elliot.

9. “ It suited Mary best to think Henrietta the one preferred, on the very account of Charles Hayter, whose pretensions she wished to see put an end to. She looked down very decidedly upon the Hayters, and thought it would be quite misfortune to have the existing connexion between the families renewed- vey sad for herself and her children.” In these lines, again Mary does not want to establish a relationship with the Hayters who comes from the lower class. As a matter of fact the social relationships in the novel and particularly in that time cannot be thought without class consciousness.

10. “What ! Every comfort of life knocked off! Journeys, London, servants, horses, table –contractions and restrictions everywhere. To live no longer with the decencies even of a private gentlemen!No, he would sooner quit Kellynch Hall at once, than remain in it on such disgraceful terms.” Persuasion is also a novel that reflects the changing social order of England.Many of peerage could no longer maintain their extravagant lifestyle easily. Thus the novel opens with the premise that the Elliot must move to a smaller residence and let their mansions to Admiral Croft of the navy.

11. Like most of her novels, Persuasion affords Jane Austen to explore social relationships among middle –class men and women living in what is usually considered a refined, country environment away from the commercial and political centers old England. • Austen centers the action in various locales:Kellynch Hall, the ancestral home of the Elliots; the country village of Uppercross; the resort of Bath. • In a series of connected episodes, Anne and her circle family and friends travel freely in a series of visits and excursions that give the young men and women ample opportunity to discuss important social issues and establish amorous attachments.

12. Their conversations give readers a glimpse of into the values held most sacred by the middle class of English society at the turn of the nineteenth century. • It is clear that the young women spend most of their time plotting to snare an eligible bachelor; those who are married focus their attention on their families, taking time to assist in advancing the courtships of their unmarried associates. • Although the young men pursue a variety of professions, they are as interested in social repartee as the women are. The novel is filled with parties, dinners , and trips to see local sighs of interests.

13. In that time social relationships were tightly bound up the class boundaries. • For instance, Anne; the protagonist of the novel, are very friendly and modest in her relationship with other characters without caring about the status, money, class or else. • Also,Anne behaves decently Captain Benwick and Mrs. Smith although they do not have an important status and come from lower class. • On the other hand, Sir Walter, Mary and Elizabeth care much more people’s status, money or class.

14. “ Westgate Buildings! said he; ‘and who is Miss Anne Elliot to be visiting in Westgate Buildings? – A Mrs Smith. A widow Mrs Smith- names are to be met with everywhere. And wha is her attraction? That she is old and sickly. –Upon my word, Miss Anne Elliot, you have the most extraordinary taste! Everything that revolts other people, loe company, paltry rooms, foul air, disgusting associations are inviting to you. But surely you may put off this old lady till to-morrow. She is nt so near her end, I presume , but that she may hope to see anoter day. What is her age? Forty?”

15. This quotation summarizes that Anne’s relationship with people from lower class, like Mrs. Smith or Captain Benwick,is criticized and despised by Sir Walter Elliot because of Mrs. Smith’s poor condition . • While Anne is caring and humanitarian in her relationships with people, the others, Sir Walter Elliot, Elizabeth, Lady Russel care much about other material features that people have. • Therefore, the novel is a pure reflection of showing us that class rigidity affects much social links between people.

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